Convince me to pay $640 for a DNA :)

Short story is that I dropped and cracked my Bionic today. I never really liked the phone and its terrible handling by Motorola. I have unlimited data and intend to keep it, which is why I would pay full price.

Apparently the DNA is getting dinged on two fronts. The internal storage (which does not concern me) and battery life, which concerns me a whole lot. To give you an idea of how it concerns me I will tell you that I have two extended batteries (well I believed the first one was dying, but it only needed recalibration in the end). The 3300 mAh is usually sufficient, but I'm positive I drain it so much because the Bionic constantly searches for LTE. And I'm in downtown Baltimore where the thing started. When I'm on wi-fi and I'm not skyping I only use 50% of the battery. But I'm not sure I need the extended batteries, as I have 3 chargers (two oem MOTO ones) plus one in the car. So I can get wired everywhere I go.

My problem is this. Last time I convinced myself to rush and get the best phone available it didn't turn out to be a very good experience. The Galaxy Nexus came two months later and made the Bionic look silly. I don't want that to happen to me. But the DNA has an unlocked bootloader so I'm not too worried.

So here are my options:

Droid DNA (better screen)
MAXX HD (better battery)
Note II (too big)
SGSIII (not worth the price when it will be replaced soon)
Galaxy Nexus ($250 new on ebay, but fearing I will get a refurbished unit)

Any ideas? What are your experiences with build quality on HTC phones? Thanks a lot

I had the razr maxx hd for a few months, then sold it for an iPhone 5. I thought i could convince myself to like the iphone, that lasted for 2 hours, i resold it the day i bought it.

I'm the type of guy that changes phones every couple months, buying and selling via craigslist. I get bored very easily once I've exhausted the features, roms, etc.

I bought a note 2 and absolutely love it. Is it big, absolutely. It's such a beautiful device with tons of potential. I'm on day 3 with it now and still have some time if i want to take it back, but this phone satisfies everything i want. Incredible camera, insane battery life, fast, snappy, You name it. The s pen features blow my mind. I've gotten used to the size already and really don't notice it until i hold it next to my gf's iphone 4s. (Fwiw, i have average sized hands)

The DNA is a nice device, but I'm not a sense fan, the lack of removable memory sucks, and I've read that the battery is so-so.

This is, of course, just my $.02, but when you're paying that much for a phone (i bought the note 2 for retail, so i know) please just do your research! I read lots and lots about the DNA and the note 2 before i bought it and it made the choice pretty simple.

IMO...the only two phones you should choose from are the Note 2 and the DNA. Both are far enough ahead of the curve that you shouldn't have buyers remorse when the next big thing comes out. I have the DNA and love everything about it. Prior to getting it, I used the Nexus for almost a year. Everything about it is a huge upgrade from the nexus.

Here's why: The lack of accessories and community development for Motorola devices was starting to bug me.

Why the SIII: A lot of accessories, and a lot of development, and more colors to choose from, I chose the black, which is sexy as hell on the SIII.

I have no signal issues, even in the areas in have somewhat weak 4G. The camera is superior to the RAZR, and I mean light years ahead.

So I would narrow it down to the SIII and the DNA.

I would go SIII because: seems to be more community development at the moment, its Samsung, more popular than HTC, which comes with a lot of perks in the Market such as more accessories for one, and more attention after the products seems to reach "end of life." Its still a great phone regardless when it came out.

The rumored HTC M7 will release along side the SIV I imagine, or sometime close, therefore, both the SIII and DNA will be "obsolete."

Also, the quad core is nothing more than bragging rights. There is absolutely nothing out there that is going to ping that processor to it fullest and actually be beneficial as opposed to a fully pinged dual core (The S4 in the SIII in this case). More cores is not always better.

I'm in a very similar situation. I currently have the Bionic and plan to get the DNA soon. I too have to buy it outright because I need to keep my unlimited. Initially the battery was concerning me from all the reviews I had read, but there seem to be just as many out there that say battery life is not bad.

The Bionic sucked in terms of battery life and I've had to run that with the extended battery since practically day one, which defeated the point of it being a relatively thin phone..at the time anyway.

I've read enough about how to tweak the settings if need be on the DNA to get more life out of it, but I also plan to have a couple chargers on hand plus the wireless charger too so I'm hoping I won't regret it.

I'm to the point where it doesn't much matter anymore since the next best thing is always a few months away. I'm thinking once I buy the DNA that it should be one of the best phones for at least the next 6 months at which time I'll probably sell it and get something else. If I end up keeping it longer then that's fine too. I've loved playing around with it anytime I'm near a Verizon store and it seems to be a prefect fit for me. I'm too impatient to wait two years in between phones anyway

I've been keeping an eye on the CES reports and I'm not seeing anything yet that is a big enough game changer for me to wait. Also who really needs a 13MP camera?? Good God. Not for me anyway. Plus the phones that have been shown so far might never see the light of day in the US.

I realize that most phones coming out this year will have the same screen as the DNA, but the DNA seems like it would make an awesome phone. Let us know if you end up getting it.

I've been keeping an eye on the CES reports and I'm not seeing anything yet that is a big enough game changer for me to wait. Also who really needs a 13MP camera?? Good God. Not for me anyway. Plus the phones that have been shown so far might never see the light of day in the US.

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then you have to add another 6 months after it's release in the U.S. till Verizon gets it

I'm to the point where it doesn't much matter anymore since the next best thing is always a few months away.

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You're right, if you're always waiting for the next best thing, you end up with nothing. No matter what you buy, it will be obsolete in a few months anyway. Settle on something you like and be happy with it. I think the Note 2 has finally done that for me (for now lol)

This ^^^^.... I mean, you can wait for the "next best thing" but guess what, there's something waiting in the shadows that supposedly better. I got the S3 because it works for ME...
Get a phone that works best for YOU and your wallet

Forgot to mention one of the biggest reasons that I'm liking the DNA. The 5" screen is the perfect size for my old eyes. Fits great in the hand. That will be my size going forward. The Note 2 is a little big for me

Everyone's needs are different, and I believe you have a 30 day window, to try out a phone, and see if it fits YOUR needs!

My son has an iPhone5, and loves it! He's had it since they were released, and loves all of the accessories, loves the size, it works with his Apple computer he has for school, etc. etc.

Me? I wouldn't take an iPhone if it was given to me.

My point is, unless you don't have a return option when you buy outright (and I'd think you can purchase whichever phone from Best Buy, and be able to return it if you hate it), bite the bullet, make a choice, and buy one.

If you decide you hate it, take it back!

I've had the DNA for about 4 weeks, and absolutely love it!

I couldn't imagine lugging the Note2 around, each and every day, pulling it out of my shirt pocket? pants pocket?...(where exactly DO you keep the Note2, if you're a guy) man purse?, and slapping that monstrosity to the side of my face, each and every time I need to make a call, but hey.... that's ME.

I'm still on 2.3.4, can jelly bean do flash? I heard there is a work around to Adobe's denial to support jelly bean?

Also, what's up with sense? I'm assuming we can root and ROM the DNA, right?

The reason I am favoring the DNA for now is the screen, people say it's the best on the market...

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Yes you can root it albeit not as easy as some other phones, but there are youtube videos out there that show the process. I think you can check out DroidModd3rX he has some very helpful videos on all things Android. . There are a few rom's out there to try, but I have read that this version of Sense is not all bad. That being said, there are other options if you so choose. I would think more will be coming down the road.

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